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2020 Ford Bronco May Receive Dana Solid Axles Front and Rear

In an investor presentation earlier this month, Dana confirmed it would supply the axles for the 2019 Ford Ranger and 2020 Ford Bronco, which has led to speculation over what driveline type the vehicles will carry.

According to the Toledo Blade, Dana spokesman Jeff Cole said the company would provide front and rear axles and rear driveshafts to Ford’s upcoming pickup and sport-utility. Furthermore, the Blade reported that the Bronco’s drive axles would be manufactured in the same plant that will supply Jeep with the next-generation Wrangler’s axles. It’s like Shakespeare wrote this stuff.

Automotive News took the rumor a bit further, claiming Dana had confirmed the Bronco would receive front and rear axles with the company’s AdvanTEK gear technology. According to Automotive News, this means the Bronc will get solid front and rear axles. We’re not so sure about that, as AdvanTEK is available in independent-suspension applications, and the investor presentation made no mention of either AdvanTEK or axle configuration. That’s a rumor we’ll be taking with a grain of salt.

That said, Ford is in need of a legitimate, rockcrawling Jeep Wrangler competitor, one with loads of suspension articulation and compact dimensions. Try as it might, the F-150 Raptor is much more of an open-road truck, one that’s great in the desert but slightly compromised in the forest or on rocks. So in that vein, Ford would be doing hardcore Bronco fans a huge service by making it available with solid front and rear axles.

As a point of trivia, Dana was the driveline supplier for both the original Ford Bronco and Ranger prior to their hiatus. The last Bronco was sold as a 1996 model, and we haven’t had a new Ranger since 2011.